Isaiah Jackson, an American conductor and academic teacher, died on December 24, 2025, at age 80.
He was music director of the Royal Ballet in London from 1987 to 1990 and, from 2001, served for seven years as conductor of the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, becoming the first African-American appointed to a music directorship in the Boston area. Jackson was also a regular guest conductor for major orchestras in the United States, Europe, South Africa and Australia.
He taught at Berklee College of Music, Harvard Extension School and the Longy School of Music, among others.
Isaiah Allen Jackson III (January 22, 1945 – December 24, 2025) was an American conductor and academic teacher. He was music director of the Royal Ballet in London from 1987 to 1990. From 2001, he served for seven years as conductor of the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, as the first African-American to be appointed to a music directorship in the Boston area. He was a regular guest conductor for major orchestras in the United States, Europe, South Africa and Australia.